Indicator member of low strength resistance for a tamper evident closure

Abstract

A tamper evident closure, intended primarily for a luer-slip or like frictional connection between one or more components associated with the closure and a syringe or other medical device, includes a housing having an open end and a tip cap disposed within the housing. An indicator member is connected to the housing in at least partially covering relation to the open end and includes an access opening disposed in accessible relation with the tip cap. A cover is removably disposed in overlying engagement with at least a portion of said indicator member in covering relation to the access opening. The indicator member has an inner segment disposed in contiguous surrounding relation to the access opening and has a reduced breakaway resistance, capable of being easily ruptured, ripped or torn during passage of said tip cap through the access opening, concurrent to the tip cap being connected to the medical device.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY[0001]The present application is based on and a claim of priority is made under 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e) to a provisional patent application that is currently in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, namely, that having Ser. No. 62 / 508,638 and a filing date of May 19, 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention[0002]This invention is directed to a tamper evident closure for a medical device which includes an indicator member disposed in overlying relation to an open end of the housing. At least a portion of the indicator member comprises a material having a predetermined low-strength breakaway resistance, which is easily ruptured upon removal of a tip cap from the interior of the housing, concurrent to its being frictionally connected to a medical device.Description of the Related Art[0003]In the medical field, it is a relatively common for authorized medical personnel to prescribe a drug or medic...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015]Yet additional features of the one or more preferred embodiments of the tamper evident closure includes a cover interconnected to the housing by being attached to the housing or to a portion of the indicator member such as, but not limited to, the outer segment thereof. Therefore, the cover is disposed in overlying, covering relation to at least a portion of the indicator member and in covering relation to the access opening. Attachment of the cover in this preferred position may be accomplished by a removable adhesive which facilitates the cover being peeled away from its overlying, covering position to the access opening and indicator member.

[0016]In order to facilitate the establishment and maintenance of a sterile environment of at least the tip and / or the interior of the housing, the cover may be at least partially formed from a gas permeable material, such as but not limited to Tyvek®, which allows a sterilizing gas medium to pass there through. Such a sterilizing gas may be in the form of ethylene trioxide (ETO) or other appropriate sterilizing medium.

Problems solved by technology

As a result, the tip cap, when connected to the syringe or medical device, will not be able to freely pass back through the access opening to an exterior of the housing, due to the comparative smaller transverse dimension of the access opening relative to the tip cap.

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